Interlochen Public Radio (IPR) is the National Public Radio member network for Northern Michigan, United States. It was established in 1963 and is operated by the Interlochen Center for the Arts, with studios across from the center's campus on Lyon Street in Interlochen, Michigan, just outside Traverse City. It broadcasts classical music, local news and NPR and Public Radio International programming on five stations in the northwestern Lower Peninsula.

At one point early in the 2000s, IPR led the nation in annual listener support.Archive of IPR Website This was all the more remarkable because it is the second-smallest NPR member in Michigan, and one of the smallest in the entire NPR system.

History Joseph E. Maddy, founder of the National Music Camp (now the Interlochen Center for the Arts), had long wanted to bring a fine arts radio station to Northern Michigan. In 1963, WIAA signed on for the first time. Originally broadcasting eight hours per day, it grew enough within a decade to become a charter member of NPR. Interlochen Public Radio became a network in 1989 with the addition of WICV. Interlochen bought contemporary Christian station WDQV in 2005 and converted it into a third satellite for the eastern portion of the market, WIAB.

In 2000, Interlochen signed on WICA at 91.5, and by 2001 all NPR news and talk programming moved there from WIAA/WICV. However, WICA does not have nearly as large a footprint as WIAA. It must conform its signal to protect WHMW-FM in Mount Pleasant, also at 91.5. As a result, Cadillac, the second-largest city in IPR's service area, does not have a clear signal for NPR talk programming; WICA's signal in Cadillac is marginal at best, even after the addition of two repeaters for WICA since the turn of the millennium.

In 2018, Interlochen sold WICV to Northern Christian Radio for $150,000, and the station adopted a contemporary Christian format as an affiliate of The Promise FM.Jacobson, Adam. "Interlochen Public Radio Sells A Stick", Radio & Television Business Report. January 10, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2019."Interlochen Sells Jordan Station ", Michigan Association of Broadcasters. January 18, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2019."Michigan Noncommercial FM Sold", All Access Music Group. January 10, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2019.

Stations Since 2000, IPR has operated a two-service network. "Classical IPR" (formerly known as "IPR Music Radio") provides classical music and hourly NPR news updates for three stations. News and talk programming from NPR and other sources is heard on three stations, branded as "IPR News Radio".

+ Classical IPR stations Call sign Frequency City of license ERPW Heightm (ft) Class FCC info WIAA 88.7 FM Interlochen, Michigan 100,000 C WIAB 88.5 FM Mackinaw City, Michigan 20,000 C1

+ IPR News Radio stations Call sign Frequency City of license ERPW Heightm (ft) Class FCC info WHBP 90.1 FM Harbor Springs, Michigan 8,500 C2 WICA 91.5 FM Traverse City, Michigan 4,000 C3 WLMN 89.7 FM Manistee, Michigan 15,000 C3

References

Sources Michiguide.com - WIAA History Michiguide.com - WIAB History Michiguide.com - WICA History Michiguide.com - WICV History

Podcasts

Interlochen Public Radio produces several podcasts, including Points North, a documentary storytelling podcast focused on culture, environment, and life in the Great Lakes region.

The podcast is hosted by Dan Wanschura and has received regional and national attention for its narrative reporting and audio documentaries.

External links